Pakistan’s Polio Battle: 74 Cases in 2024, One in 2025

News Desk

Islamabad: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the 74th case of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Pakistan for the year 2024. The latest case has been reported from Shikarpur, Sindh, marking the second case from the district for the year.

The onset of paralysis in the affected child was recorded on December 15, 2024.

According to official data, Pakistan reported a total of 74 polio cases in 2024. The breakdown of cases includes 27 from Balochistan, 23 from Sindh, 22 from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and one each from Punjab and Islamabad. In 2025, only one case has been reported so far, emerging from KP.

Polio remains a major public health concern in Pakistan, as it is a debilitating disease with no cure. Health experts emphasize the importance of administering multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completing the routine immunization schedule for all children under the age of five to strengthen immunity against the virus.

In an effort to curb the spread of the virus, the Pakistan Polio Program regularly conducts nationwide vaccination campaigns. The first mass immunization drive of 2025 was successfully conducted from February 3 to 9, achieving 99 percent of its targeted coverage.

More than 45 million children across the country received the polio vaccine during this campaign.

Health authorities continue to urge parents to ensure their children receive vaccinations, which are provided free of charge under the Expanded Program on Immunization.

This initiative protects children against 12 preventable childhood diseases, including polio.

Despite challenges, Pakistan remains committed to eradicating polio through rigorous immunization efforts, community awareness programs, and strengthened surveillance mechanisms.